Families Support Autism Cares Foundation's Race for Resources

By Debra Forman

When parents are first given a diagnosis of autism for their young son or daughter it can be frightening. There can often be a myriad of emotions, unanswered questions, and a hunger for just the right services and programs to make sure their child thrives in every possible way.

Not always knowing exactly where to turn, these parents and their extended families often reach out for support and comfort with their challenging journey, and hundreds of parents have already turned to the Autism Cares Foundation and its extended family to fill that void.

On Saturday, Nov. 4, nearly 2,000 supporters of the non-profit Autism Cares Foundation gathered at Bucks County Community College Newtown, Bucks County, on a crisp autumn day for the 8th Annual Race for Resources.

Everywhere anyone looked there were beaming parents, and their extended families, clad in a sea of brightly-colored T-shirts with the names of their 61 fundraising teams that came out to support loved ones with autism and other special needs, and raise money for the Autism Cares Foundation.

Loving mom Debbie Schnell, her husband, Karl, and their family, started Team Daniel this year in honor of her five-year-old son, who was diagnosed with autism three years ago.

The Schnell family’s 35-member team raised money through fundraisers at the Arby’s in Feasterville, where Debbie works. This caring mom was touched by the large numbers of people who came to the Race for Resources to support her son and the other families.

“Daniel is pumped up to be at the race, and our hearts are filled with love for everyone who came out to support us,” Debbie Schnell said. “When I am at an Autism Cares Foundation event I feel like I belong, and to me that is priceless. It feels like being part of an extended family, and this really means the world to me.”

The Race for Resources, one of the non-profit group’s major fundraising events, included a 5K, 10K, Family Walk and Autism Expo of local service providers, as well as family-friendly activities: face painting, a video game bus, and a bounce maze. The Autism Cares Foundation’s Glee Club gave an uplifting performance of the National Anthem.

This inspiring event was a time for families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and the extended community to walk, run, connect, learn, and spread the message of love, acceptance and inclusion for all of us, especially for children, teens, and adults with autism and other special needs. There were 100 volunteers to make sure that everything ran smoothly.

The participants enjoyed mouth-watering refreshments provided by race sponsors the Bloomin’ Group, which includes Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Bonefish Grill.

To date, the Autism Cares Foundation has held more than 1,000 events, social programs and life enrichment opportunities, which have benefited more than 900 local families.

The non-profit Autism Cares Foundation, located in Southampton., was started as a result of a discussion at their kitchen table by loving mom Linda Kuepper and her husband Frank, after their younger son, Michael, was diagnosed with autism before his third birthday.

Instead of helplessly standing by and watching their son be left out of birthday parties and other social events, they decided to establish a non-profit that provides a warm, safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where Michael and other children, teens, and adults with special needs are able to socialize, learn, grow, and thrive together.

During the recent race, the Kuepper family’s team, Special K, was raring to go, and Michael, now 19, was front and center, enjoying the high-energy and enthusiasm of the crowd.

The Autism Cares Foundation provides 200 free annual social programs, events, and life enrichment activities including, sensory-friendly movies, holiday-themed parties, hayrides, teen prom, bounce parties, swimming, Glee Club, Fun Club, and more.

The Autism Cares Foundation is also expanding its offerings. “We are now serving 30 clients in the Adult Services Division,” said Race Chairman Fred Sciacia, “and we are looking forward to expanding the program next year to include home and community services and supported employment.”

The Autism Cares Foundation is working on setting up events in New Jersey in 2018, in hopes of starting its first chapter in another state. Autism Cares Foundation is a registered charity in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, with plans to expand outside the Tri-State area in the future.

“It is truly inspirational to see everyone coming together to support our worthy cause,” said Linda Kuepper. “We have built long-lasting friendships, and we are here for each other.”

While the families are certainly faced with challenges, they know that they have an extended family through the Autism Cares Foundation. “This has given our families a sense of hope,” she said, “and a reason to continue to work together to find the best available resources to assist our loved ones.”

For further information about the Autism Cares Foundation, please go to:

http://raceforresources.org/, http://autismcaresfoundation.org/. Or call 215-942-2273.